HR Advice - Small Business Owner.Distrust Of Employee

[Tailfeather]

I own a small business. There is an employee that I don't really trust which is a horrible feeling when it's my business. I want to know I can trust and rely on my team. They are coming up to their 2 years working for me next April. Am I within my rights to bring it up with them and give them notice if they don't convince me otherwise? Or could I get done for unfair dismissal even though she hasn't worked for me for 2 years yet? Thank you.

Depends if she has any protected characteristics as she could have a discrimination claim if relevant

You really need to seek proper advice on this as an employer and business owner.

You can outsource HR very cost effectively and it can save you a whole lot of problems down the line.

I would strongly recommend you do this in order to safeguard your business.

This.

why don't you trust her?

what can she do in your mind to make you trust her? Surely you have policies in place where this can be dealt with if she is doing something wrong.

Under 2 years you can get rid of anyone. Unless she tries to claim it’s BECAUSE of a protected characteristic, or you’ve been bullying her.
I document where they’ve gone wrong, with dates. Then the dates I’ve performance managed them (interviews, appraisals, just normal feedback).
After 2 years is much trickier, so do it now.
Running a small business it’s key to get good people, even just one bad employee can run a business into the ground.

This is helpful… www.gov.uk/dismissal
it states under 2 head you don’t have to say why, but I always follow up with a formal letter with dismissal reason.

Take notice of what Gyoza is saying.

Why don't I trust her? Just small things like I know she has lied to me a few times. But in general it's just a gut feeling. But it's a small business and I feel uncomfortable around her, so it's awkward. It's not a huge company where it might be less of an issue. I have to trust her with my livelihood.

You need to outsource to an external HR company / freelancer OP. If you own a small business that employs people, you need to safeguard both the business and yourself by getting professional advice. The cost of that is worth the headache / worry caused by trying to do it yourself!

I disagree with:

Unless she tries to claim it’s BECAUSE of a protected characteristic, or you’ve been bullying her.

A bullying claim would not succeed with less than 2 years of service. It’s only claims related to discrimination of a protected characteristic.

I have to trust her with my livelihood

She has also put her livelihood into your trust. Looking to get rid of someone who has given you two year's service because of a 'gut feeling' is a dick move.

It is your business... you can dismiss an employee with less than 2 years employment without giving a reason. Contact ACAS.. they will advise you of the steps to take.